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C-245Bill defeated

Law Says Canada's Diversity Act Doesn't Apply in Quebec

Diversity Act Won't Apply in Quebec

Introduced Sep 23, 2025·Last discussed Feb 4, 2026
Summary

This proposed law wanted to change the rules about multiculturalism in Canada. Right now, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act applies to everyone in the country. This proposed law would have allowed Quebec to choose not to follow those rules. It would have meant Quebec could have its own approach to dealing with different cultures. This change would have directly affected people living in Quebec. It could have changed how the government supports different cultural groups in the province. It might have also affected how people from different backgrounds are treated and included in Quebec society. This proposed law was important because it raised questions about how Canada balances national unity with the unique needs and desires of its provinces. It also touched on sensitive issues about cultural identity and how different groups coexist within a country. Since it didn't pass, the current rules about multiculturalism stay in place for everyone, including Quebec.

What MPs Are Saying
Bloc Québécois
Xavier Barsalou-DuvalBloc Québécois

Simplifying...

Liberal

Simplifying...

Where This Lands on Key Issues

Where this proposed law falls on the policy spectrums that Canadians care about

Indigenous PeoplesGradual integration approach

The bill sought to exempt Quebec from the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, which could have undermined the rights and recognition of Indigenous cultures within Quebec, pushing it towards treating all Canadians identically rather than recognizing specific Indigenous rights.

Identity & Human RightsMaintain existing protections only

By seeking to allow Quebec to not follow the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, the bill potentially prioritized a specific cultural identity over the proactive equity and inclusion measures the Act promotes for various groups.

This bill
Bill Quality
Weak

This proposed law tries to make the Canadian Multiculturalism Act not apply to Quebec. Its main concern is that it could create different standards for multiculturalism in different parts of Canada.

Things to Watch For

  • It is unclear how this change would affect the rights of people from diverse backgrounds living in Quebec.
  • The proposed law does not explain why Quebec should be exempt from the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.
  • It does not address how this change would interact with Quebec's own laws and policies on cultural diversity.
Progress

Click any step to learn what it means

This proposed law did not move forward

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